Schools, train stations and malls are some of the amenities that make Serangoon a buzzing enclave for families

MELISSA HENG

TAKE your kids to school, grab a bite at shopping mall Nex, and be on the train to work, all within an hour — it is possible if you live in Serangoon. This mature estate is considered to be one of Singapore’s most liveable  neighbourhoods in the north-east because of its accessibility and buzz.

It comprises seven subzones — Lorong Chuan, Seletar Hills, Serangoon Central, Serangoon Garden, Serangoon North, Serangoon North Industrial Estate and Upper Paya Lebar — all of which have plenty of good schools, eating places and transport options.

UNRIVALLED ACCESSIBILITY

Bordered by other popular residential towns, including Ang Mo Kio and Bishan to the west and Hougang to the east, the area has multiple bus routes and train options that make commuting a breeze. Serangoon MRT station sits on both the Circle and North East Lines, and is just two stops away from Bishan station on the North South Line.

The nearby Hougang Central Bus Interchange, which is linked to Hougang station on the North East Line, also has many buses plying various parts of Singapore.

Those who work in the Central Business District can choose to take the Central Expressway, while those heading east can take the Pan Island Expressway or Tampines Expressway.

IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

Serangoon is also home to a wide range of schools — from primary to junior college level. These include CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, St Gabriel’s Primary School, Maris Stella High School, Zhonghua Secondary School, Serangoon Junior College and Nanyang Junior College.

In addition, the neighbourhood offers plenty of options for play. You and your friends can get together regularly at Serangoon Community Park in Serangoon Avenue 4 for a run or walk — where your kids can be distracted from their devices long enough to engage in some healthy activity.

On a wet day, you can opt for indoor sporting fun at the JForte Sportainment Centre in Hougang Avenue 1, which has a bowling alley that opens daily from 10am to 1am.

SHOP, EAT, PLAY TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

Nex is a landmark in Serangoon and the largest mall in Singapore’s north-east.

Connected to Serangoon MRT station, the seven-storey mall has two supermarkets, a cineplex, two foodcourts, and popular retail stores such as H&M, Uniqlo, Cotton On and Sephora.

It also houses KidzPlay, a free water playground, so young ones will not get bored; and Serangoon Public Library, where a huge selection of books open up new worlds.

Foodies are spoilt for choice here. Among the many must-try hawker places is the well-known Chomp Chomp Food Centre in Serangoon Gardens.

The foodie haven’s offerings include your favourite juicy flamegrilled chicken wings and spicy barbecued sambal stingray served on a banana leaf. The drool-worthy eats there are available daily from 4pm to 12.30am.

Even workout enthusiasts need not be left out of the action. Adrenaline junkies can train at Krav Maga Global Singapore, a martial arts school in Upper Serangoon Road.

Krav Maga, which means “contact combat” in Hebrew, is a self-defence combat system suitable for both adults and children.

PROPERTY OUTLOOK

In particular, a consortium-led by Oxley Holdings acquired former HUDC estate Serangoon Ville for $499 million (which works out to be $835 psf ppr) in a collective sale last July. This is about 16% lower than the $965 psf ppr paid by the Keppel Land-Wing Tai joint venture for the Serangoon North Ave 1 GLS site, located just opposite.

In Woodleigh, CEL Unique Development, a 60-20-20 joint venture between Chip Eng Seng Corporation, Heeton Holdings and KSH Holdings, placed the top bid of $700.7 milion ($1,110 psf ppr) for a GLS site. Two months earlier, Rio Casa — an HUDC estate in Hougang — was successfully sold to an Oxley-led JV consortium for $575 million (about $706 psf ppr.)

Oxley had also outbid the competition in last year’s land acquisitions. Upcoming launches in their pipeline include 494 Upper East Coast Road, 231 Pasir Panjang (former Redwood West Serviced Apartment), South Buona Vista Road (former Vista Park), Rifle Range Road (former Mayfair Gardens),  Balestier/Tessensohn, 21 Meyappa Chettiar Road (former Apartment 8),  Serangoon North Ave 1 (former Serangoon Ville), Hougang Ave 7 (former Rio Casa), and 208 Yio Chu Kang (former Toho Green).

Mr Tan Tee Khoon, executive director and head of residential (project marketing) at Knight Frank Singapore, says, “Given the recent en-bloc and Government Land Sales sites in District 19, it is noteworthy to highlight that Rio Casa and Serangoon Ville were acquired for $575m (or $706 psf ppr) and $499 million (or $835 psf ppr) respectively.

"As such, these two sites could offer competitive pricing for potential buyers. In addition, buyers can pay attention to design concept and lifestyle factors when making their purchase decisions.”